The two-week break for European competition has seen the RaboDirect PRO12 teams return with an impressive record having performed well in both cup competitions.

Edinburgh, Leinster and the Scarlets top three of the Heineken Cup pools, with the Ospreys sharing the lead in a fourth, while the Newport Gwent Dragons head their pool in the Amlin Challenge Cup.

In the top tier competition, RaboDirect PRO12 teams have won 11 of the 18 games played against teams from other European leagues, with the Welsh regions doing particularly well as they have not yet lost a game.

The RaboDirect PRO12 action resumes on Thursday at the Cardiff City Stadium where the Blues face Aironi Rugby.

Cardiff, who find themselves sitting second to Edinburgh in their European pool, will be aiming for a double over their Italian opponents this season, and in the process perhaps reclaiming their place in the play-off zone.

The following evening sees an intriguing Welsh derby with the Scarlets hosting the Dragons at Parc y Scarlets. Both teams have performed well over the past two European weekends.

The Scarlets, along with Edinburgh, are one of only two teams in Europe's premier tournament to have claimed nine out of a possible 10 match points, so this promises to be an intriguing fixture as the Dragons themselves are also unbeaten in the Amlin Challenge Cup.

Also on Friday, Ulster will be hoping to get back to winning ways after losing away to Leicester Tigers in round 2 of the Heineken Cup. Their opponents, Glasgow Warriors, will have home advantage and will be looking to continue their good start which has seen them climb to fourth in the table.

The Ospreys, top of the table for the fourth round running, travel to Connacht on Saturday a ground where the visitors have not lost since May 2008.

The Ospreys were the only Welsh region not to win in Europe last weekend, being held to a thrilling 26-26 draw by Benetton Treviso.

Treviso are also in league action themselves on Saturday, welcoming the reigning Heineken Cup champions Leinster, to the Stadio di Monigo.

The Italian outfit have started the league well this season, with four wins from eight, and are currently just outside the play-off zone. Leinster need no reminding that Treviso won this same fixture last season.

The round wraps up in Limerick where reigning league champions Munster, having slipped to third in the table, will be looking for a home victory to get their campaign back on track, however they face a resurgent Edinburgh, who are heading Pool 2 in the Heineken Cup.

The countdown is on to the Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23. Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens & Women's Rugby, previews what promises to be an exciting couple of days.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Jenny Murphy talks about the progress made by the Ireland Women's Sevens team and their pool draw for the upcoming Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Conor Murray and Tommy Bowe speak to Irish Rugby TV about their Rugby World Cup preparations and thank the thousands of supporters who came out to see the players at the open training session at the Sportsground.

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell gives his verdict on the team's new Rugby World Cup jersey and talks about his move to French club Toulon. Ireland's RWC 2015 range is available to pre-order now from http://shop.irishrugby.ie.

Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens, talks about the target of a top three finish for both the Ireland Men and Women in Lisbon this weekend, as they continue on their quests for Olympic qualification.

Tom Daly, who recently captained the Ireland Men's Sevens team to the European Division C and B titles, is looking forward to playing in this weekend's Rugby Europe Olympic Repechage tournament in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ireland will host the 'Women's Sevens Dublin' at UCD on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. Tournament director Garrett Tubridy and Ireland stars Lucy Mulhall, Jenny Murphy and Louise Galvin speak about their excitement ahead of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series qualifier.

Coach Allen Clarke and stand-in captain Billy Holland answer questions from the media following Emerging Ireland's 45-12 victory over Georgia in the final round of their successful Tbilisi Cup campaign.

Emerging Ireland coach Allen Clarke speaks about his side's five-try 33-7 win over Uruguay in the Tbilisi Cup and the first half injury to captain Rhys Ruddock. They wrap up the tournament against hosts Georgia on Sunday.

Speaking about the floods that occurred following the Tbilisi Cup's first round, Emerging Ireland team manager Joey Miles said: "A natural event like that, a tragedy like that puts the game of rugby into perspective. We express our regrets to the Georgian people and the Georgian Union for the terrible tragedy that they had."

David O'Reilly from the IRFU Charitable Trust's Corporate Patrons Committee speaks about the new scheme which provides businesses with unique networking opportunities and provides a platform for companies to effectively activate their CSR programmes. For further information, please contact Linda Black of the Charitable Trust - telephone (01) 6473866 or email: linda.black@irfu.ie / http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34728.php.